Al Jalila Foundation, a global philanthropic healthcare organisation dedicated to transforming lives, announced today the launch of the third edition of the annual Ramadan campaign ‘basma’, smile in Arabic, in partnership with hospitality, leisure and retail outlets across the UAE.

Ramadan is about connecting people; Al Jalila Foundation works with the basma partners to engage their patrons during the month of giving through creative fundraising activities under the slogan “your gift, their smile” to spread hope and healing to sick children.

In the past the month-long charity campaign has brought together hundreds of partners who have raised over AED 2 million, through the support of patrons and customers, to provide life-saving treatment and medical care to children in need.

In line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, “to create hope, life and happiness for everyone in the UAE”, Al Jalila Foundation believes that health is the cornerstone to happiness and every child deserves the opportunity to grow up healthy, dream and realise their potential.

Al Jalila Foundation works closely with healthcare partners to develop special treatment programs that meet the needs of patients who are unable to afford quality treatment. Farah, happiness in Arabic, is the Foundation’s paediatric treatment program which has helped 254 children in the UAE: from life-saving heart surgeries to treatment of childhood cancers, cochlear implants and prosthetic limbs, all have been given a fresh start in life after receiving special care by some of the best medical providers and physicians in the region. In 2018, Al Jalila Foundation sponsored the first kidney transplant in Dubai as part of its efforts to transform the lives of children and fund cutting-edge treatment to improve patients’ lives.

As a non-profit organisation Al Jalila Foundation relies on the support of its partners and donations are invested directly into healthcare programs to benefit those in need. For more information on how to participate in basma please visit www.aljalilafoundation.ae/basma.

On the occasion of the Emirati Children’s Day, Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children, in cooperation with Al Jalila Foundation, hosted a number of young patients of the Foundation’s “Farah” program and their families for a day of arts and culture with the aim to spread happiness to sick children.

The 17 children, ages 6 to 16, participated in art workshops including music, ceramics, drawing, fashion design and theatre. The children enjoyed learning technical skills and had the opportunity to retain their artistic pieces, along with enjoying some quality family time at the centre dedicated to nurturing children’s creativity.

The children’s centre believes that art is one of the most important means in the child’s therapeutic journey supporting them psychologically and enhancing their positive energy and confidence; art also has the power to distract them from their suffering by focusing on their artistic talents and abilities.

Farah, Al Jalila Foundation’s paediatric program in Dubai, is dedicated to saving young patients’ lives by providing medical treatment, funding research and spreading hope to sick children and their families.

Through Farah, Al Jalila Foundation is transforming children’s lives in the UAE; the humanitarian program also brings the community together to raise funds through community-based campaigns and encourages donations from the wider society. All funds raised are invested in vital treatment and research of paediatric medical conditions. The program helps to alleviate the financial burden on families with sick children allowing them to focus on the treatment plan and recovery.

Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children contributes to all community initiatives that serve children in the UAE. It also provides artistic activities for orphans and sick children, in order to give every child in the community an opportunity to discover his/her talents and become the best versions of themselves and confident citizens of the world.